{"id":2083,"date":"2025-05-10T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=2083"},"modified":"2025-05-13T13:11:29","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T13:11:29","slug":"the-underappreciated-caribbean-island-that-mass-tourism-hasnt-ruined-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/10\/the-underappreciated-caribbean-island-that-mass-tourism-hasnt-ruined-yet\/","title":{"rendered":"The \u2018underappreciated\u2019 Caribbean island that mass tourism hasn\u2019t ruined yet"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Growing up, ads for Sandals\u2019 white sandy beach resorts were always on TV(Picture: Sandals Resorts)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A bathtub of rose petals ensconced in billowing curtains, with a tray of chocolates and champagne on ice on the side. For one, please.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not how I pictured checking into one of the world\u2019s most romantic resorts<\/a>. It was even better.<\/p>\n

Growing up, adverts for Sandals\u2019 white sandy beach resorts \u2013 a sun-kissed couple strolling hand-in-hand against the setting sun \u2013 were always on TV.<\/p>\n

Now, finding myself in the newest Sandals resort in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, it turns out that image was half true. Just, minus the buff bronzed bloke.<\/p>\n

Instead, I have with me a girl gang to explore the first luxury resort in this largely untouched corner of the eastern Caribbean<\/a>. Turns out, it is even more fun than I had imagined.<\/p>\n

A hidden gem that\u2019s about to explode<\/h2>\n
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\n\t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway newsletter\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

You\u2019d be forgiven for being unfamiliar with St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), a chain of 32 volcanic islands and cays, just north of Venezuela<\/a> and south of St. Lucia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Deep in the heart of the Caribbean, this idyllic archipelago remains uncluttered by tourists. None of its islands are among the most visited in the region, but times are changing.<\/p>\n

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The pool seems to stretch into the sea (Picture: Sandals Resorts)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even after storms crippled the region last July, a record number of visitors travelled to SVG in 2024 \u2014 overnight stays rose by 25% on the previous year.<\/p>\n

Interest rose significantly across the UK and European markets, with visits from the Netherlands up 117% and Ireland more than 45%.<\/p>\n

The reason? The spring opening of Sandals\u2019 new resort, which local media<\/a> claim single-handedly put the destination on the travel map.<\/p>\n

Housed in a private cove, with four pools, 11 restaurants, a sprawling spa and a strict adults-only policy, the resort is attracting a new demographic of visitors who previously skipped SVG in favour of boutique destinations like Antigua<\/a> and Turks and Caicos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite its remote location, SVG is relatively straightforward to get to \u2013 hop on a Virgin Atlantic<\/a> flight from London Heathrow<\/a> and 11 hours later, you\u2019ll arrive (after a layover in Barbados<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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St Vincent and the Grenadines is a nation of volcanic islands (Picture: Metro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Sandals\u2019 launch has attracted a wave of new US flight routes; JetBlue flies direct from New York<\/a>, American Airlines non-stop from Miami<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At a time when several countries are pushing back against tourists, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is ready to welcome.<\/p>\n

Yet while the growth is exciting, the island nation is handling its rising star with caution.<\/p>\n

\u2018St. Vincent and The Grenadines has deliberately steered away from large-scale tourism models,\u2019 Natasha Anderson, Director of Sales for the UK and Europe at St. Vincent and The Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA), tells Metro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

That means most of the islands remain untouched by high-rise development, and strict rules are in place to protect coral reefs and the natural environment.<\/p>\n

Unlike some Caribbean destinations known for sprawling mega-resorts and thumping nightclubs, Natasha says SVG offers something authentic and unspoiled.<\/p>\n

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@kaiomijm<\/a> <\/p>\n

Replying to @huskable16 my lil thoughts on SVG! #svg<\/a> \ud83c\uddfb\ud83c\udde8\ud83e\udd0d<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 kaiomi<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\u2018Visitors enjoy our natural beauty without overwhelming it, and that\u2019s exactly how we want to keep it,\u2019 she says.<\/p>\n

\u2018We encourage visitors to hire local guides, support family-run businesses, and engage with our culture. It\u2019s about connection, not consumption.\u2019<\/p>\n

Another world<\/h2>\n

On the dock, we are greeted by a row of beaming, immaculately dressed staff with welcome cocktails in hand. Already I can feel the stresses of the outside world melting away.<\/p>\n

Misty mountains and rainforest surround the grounds, making for a setting that\u2019s less luxury hotel, more Jurassic Park<\/a>. Beyond it, the active volcano La Soufri\u00e8re adds to the otherworldly vibe.<\/p>\n

To get even closer to nature, you can stay in one of the hotel\u2019s over-water villas.<\/p>\n

Standing two-storys above the sea, they\u2019re perfect for adult families and groups of friends, like ours \u2013 you can dive right off your deck into the sparkling blue below.<\/p>\n

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Dive off the deck at an over-water villa (Picture: Bronwyn Knight)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While I don\u2019t have the luxury of staying in one of those, my Garden Butler Suite comes complete with a dreamy king-size bed, a dressing room and floor-to-ceiling glass doors, which open onto a private patio flanked by a flower-lined lake.<\/p>\n

Upon arrival, I\u2019m handed a Samsung smartphone that\u2019s supposed to act as a direct line to my personal butler.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d told the little girl mesmerised by Sandals TV ads that she\u2019d end up here, she wouldn\u2019t have believed you.<\/p>\n

Touches of class<\/h2>\n

Sandals guests tend to be fiercely loyal to the brand, staying at different resorts around the world. <\/p>\n

Many things bring them back, not least the food. Meals at Sandals\u2019 SVG are made from locally sourced ingredients and freshly caught seafood, and the offering in each of the 11 restaurants is delicious.<\/p>\n

On our first morning, an \u00e0 la carte brunch at Parasol Beach Club makes for the perfect start to a day in paradise, accompanied by sweeping views of the sea.<\/p>\n

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I stayed in the Garden Butler Suite with a private lake and butler (Picture: Shawn Talbot)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My favourite lunch spot is the Jerk Shack, where fish, chicken and pork come perfectly spiced.<\/p>\n

For a special dinner, Buccan, Sandals\u2019 immersive, communal-style restaurant, serves delicacies grilled over a traditional open fire.<\/p>\n

Luxury continues over at Red Lane, the resort\u2019s expansive spa, which boasts outdoor gazebos for massages overlooking the gentle river that runs past.<\/p>\n

For lovers, there\u2019s even a stunning over-water wedding chapel, with views of the turquoise ocean around it \u2013 and even below, through a glass floor.<\/p>\n

My friend tells me she\u2019s heard about someone who has had four weddings, every one of them at a Sandals resort. I can see why.<\/p>\n

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The height of romance (Picture: Sandals Resorts)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yet, to my surprise, while there are plenty of loved-up couples here soaking up the sun and scenery (with a heart-shaped pool, I\u2019d expect nothing less), there are many groups of friends, from 20-somethings upwards, too, just like my gang. <\/p>\n

One group I meet is celebrating a 30th birthday, another I meet on the dancefloor at 1am, toasting their pal\u2019s engagement. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s not the couple\u2019s-exclusive retreat you might expect.<\/p>\n

The resort is surprisingly active, from the bicycles available to breeze around its gardens, to the wealth of water sports. For those PADI certified, scuba diving is available, free for guests.<\/p>\n

I opt for a guided kayaking trip to the Buccament Bat Cave, followed by a sunset cruise around the Vincentian coast. These shores were once home to the cast of Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s plenty to do, you can book guided trips like this sunset cruise (Picture: Bex April May)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Back on land, free daily activities such as \u2018paint and sip\u2019 classes\u2028and jewellery-crafting make for cute keepsakes. We all leave with matching friendship bracelets.<\/p>\n

Who needs a guy to buy you bling?<\/p>\n

Things to do in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines<\/h2>\n

While it\u2019s tempting to spend most of the time lounging around in paradise, there is a wealth of things to do outside the hotel. <\/p>\n

A one-hour ferry ride (about \u00a313 for a return trip) will take you to Bequia, the closest of the Grenadine islands. Here you can browse colourful stalls, stroll on sandy beaches, and keep a weather eye for turtles that make their home in the bay. <\/p>\n

The perfect way to end the day is a stop at Bar One Bequia, an incredible floating bar in the middle of the sea.<\/p>\n

Feeling adventurous? Take a hike up St Vincent\u2019s active volcano, La Soufri\u00e8re, which last erupted in 2021. Book a guided tour and
prepare yourself for a two-hour uphill trek to the crater for an unforgettable experience \u2013 but be sure to pack walking boots.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re lucky enough to be in town during carnival season, check out \u2018The Hottest Carnival in the Caribbean\u2019, Vincy Mas. <\/p>\n

The extravaganza of music, costumes, heritage and dancing is made up of parties all over the island and this year runs from June 27 to July 8.<\/p>\n

A seven-night stay for two adults at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines staying in a Bamboo Palm Room with Balcony Tranquillity Soaking Tub costs from \u00a32,789 per person.<\/p>\n

Price includes all-inclusive accommodation, return economy class flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow Airport and resort transfers.
A seven-night stay for two adults in a Garden Butler Suite with Patio Tranquillity Soaking Tub costs from \u00a34,149 per person \u2013 including
butler service.<\/p>\n

Prices valid for travel on September 3, 2025. Call 0800 597 0002 or visit Sandals website.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Growing up, ads for Sandals\u2019 white sandy beach resorts were always on TV(Picture: Sandals Resorts) A bathtub of rose petals ensconced in billowing curtains, with a tray of chocolates and champagne on ice on the side. For one, please. It\u2019s not how I pictured checking into one of the world\u2019s most romantic resorts. It was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2085,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2083"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2093,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2083\/revisions\/2093"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}